“Sleepy Hollow” fans hoping for a few answers to the show’s many questions found them in abundance on Monday night’s informative and excellent episode. Among the information revealed was the Horseman’s identity, his true motivations and his ultimate weakness. But we also learned the answer to the ever-important question: where does one look when talking to the headless Horseman of Death? The answer: right around the top of the shirt. And if you are really feeling brazen, as Ichabod was in Monday’s episode, show you dominance by looking down upon his bloody stump for a neck. That doesn’t make him mad at all. Now that that question is finally answered, let’s recap at all that was revealed in “Necromancer.”

Fist Bump of Celebration: The episode kicked off with a lesson in modern-day gestures as Abbie taught Ichabod how to fist bump as a way of celebrating their capture of the Horseman at the end of last week’s episode. Chained up in a Masonic chamber built by Thomas Jefferson, the Horseman is weakened by UV lights and trapped by a local witch’s hex. Eager to interrogate the Horseman, but feeling as though it might be a one-sided conversation, Ichabod and Abbie set out in the tunnels to find their “undead informant” Officer Brooks who can communicate with his headless conspirator. Meanwhile, Irving heads out to find Jenny, Abbie’s sister, who has just been released from the institution. “A dead guy, a mental patient and a time traveler from the Revolution,” Irving says with a grin. To which Abbie responds, “That’s our team.” And what a fine team it is.

Sad Eyes from the Dead Guy: Locating Brooks’ hideaway, Ichabod and Abbie discover a stone inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics, a tool given to necromancers, or those that have the power to speak for the dead. Brooks pops in (as all undead tunnel dwellers do) to reveal that because of his less-than-innocent earthly deeds, his soul is no longer his and that he is now the unwilling necromancer for the Horseman. Ichabod, showing surprisingly little mercy, decides to risk bringing him to the Horseman, even after sad (and empathetic) Brooks warns Abbie, whom he has a soft spot for, that, “Confronting death leads to nothing but misery. It is a darkness that will haunt you forever.”

A New Duo in Town: Who says Ichabod and Abbie are the only duo that gets to have any fun around here? Following Irving’s inclusion into the Apocalypse gang last week, he teamed up with a reluctant Jenny to help out with Operation Don’t Lose the Horseman. Called to a break in at Adam’s Antiquities (which is really Adam’s Antiques on Castle Street in Wilmington), Irving and Jenny discover Hessians have broken and stolen a Druid relic that can break the spell guarding the Horseman. But to get to him, the Hessians will need to cut the power first and shut off the UV weakening the Horseman first. Dressed in stealthy black bulletproof vests, the pair apprehend a few shady men at the power plant. But its too late because explosives planted earlier detonate, cutting power darkening the town.

Interrogation Time: Leaning against a post with confidence, Ichabod vows to the Horseman that, while he may be Death itself, right now, he is just a prisoner. Struggling in his chains, the Horseman doesn’t seem to like being talked down to. Understandably eager to chat after 250 years of not being able to and all, the Horseman possesses Brooks and speaks through him, saying, “You took my head but Death will not be silenced.” Just then a necklace Ichabod recognizes falls from the Horseman’s clothes. In a flashback to 1774, Ichabod is seen helping pick out the necklace for Katrina, who is engaged to his best friend, Abraham. It is an arranged marriage and Katrina can no longer keep her feelings for Ichabod secret. She is prepared to tell her fiancé because she will only marry for love.

A Duel Between Friends: Back in the interrogation chamber, Abbie warns Ichabod not to get too emotional when talking to the Horseman. “We are looking for his weakness. Don’t let him find yours,” she says. But with only a short time left until the Horseman regains his strength with no UV lights keeping him down, Ichabod must keeping talking with him. Trying his best to stir the pot, the Horseman reveals that he was looking for Ichabod, “Washington’s prized spy,” on the Revolution battlefield the day they died. The reason: to avenge the death of Abraham. After Katrina broke her engagement with Abraham, Ichabod picked the middle of secret mission to deliver a preliminary Declaration of Independence to ask for his friend’s blessing to be with the Katrina. The scorned man did not take the request lightly. After Ichabod’s plead for peace fell on silent ears, the two men drew their swords. Just as Abraham grabs the upper hand, a band of Redcoats shoot him and ride towards Ichabod. Abraham, angry and bleeding, tells Ichabod to leave him. Watching from the trees, Ichabod sees the men approach his (now former) friend just as he flees.

A Little Yelling Among Partners: Trying to talk sense into Ichabod, who is becoming blinded by the Horseman’s ability to see his darkest secrets, Abbie pleads for him to regain control before returning to the Horseman. “I’m in control!,” screams Ichabod, causing the first moment of animosity between the two. Luckily, Irving and Jenny arrive to ease the tension. Loading up on artillery, they assist Abbie in preparing for any bad guys coming their way. Ichabod stays behind with the prisoner.

Prison Break: Little does the team know, Brooks has the relic that is needed to free the Horseman (he pulls it out of his stomach because he doesn’t have enough grotesque injuries already). Speaking more gibberish (thank you, subtitles), Brooks summons the Minions of Moloch, who look like they were ripped right out of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” — but in a good way. Also, they burst into dust when shot, “Charmed”-style.

At full strength, the Horseman breaks loose and challenges Ichabod to a duel. As they match swords, Ichabod begins to notice the Horseman’s fighting tactics are familiar. Too familiar. They are Abraham’s. Taken back to his “demise” in the woods after Ichabod flees, Abraham is approached by Moloch, who gives his a new breath of “life.” Head shaven and hand branded, Abraham awakens with the white, foggy eyes of a villain and a renewed sense of purpose. He is not here for revenge on Ichabod, but to reclaim Katrina, who Moloch is holding captive in between worlds for the Horseman. Stunned, Ichabod loses his focus and the Horseman goes in for the kill. But Brooks stops him, saying Moloch forbids Ichabod’s death. The minions, summoned by Brooks, appear out of dust and take the Horseman and Brooks away. But not before the occasionally helpful former deputy says, “Tell Abbie I’m sorry.”

Debrief: Reflecting on the night, Ichabod and Abbie stew over the question of who, if not the Horseman, has the right to kill Ichabod. More importantly, if the Horseman’s ultimate goal is have Katrina once more, then she, Ichabod’s wife, is his weakness. And, as Ichabod puts it, they need her now more than ever.

What did you think of tonight’s episode? Are you satisfied with all the answers we got, or are you already craving more? Let us know what you think. And be sure to check out our behind-the-scenes photos from tonight’s episode.

About This Blog

Hi! My name is Hunter Ingram and I’m the film/TV reporter for StarNews Media. I will be the primary blogger for WilmonFilm, but other staffers, including Community Engagement Editor Jeff Hidek and freelance reporter Brian Tucker, are likely to contribute from time to time.

With this blog, I aim to be Southeastern North Carolina’s go-to source for all things film and TV. Wilmington and its surrounding areas are rich with intriguing projects, from the big-budget blockbusters to the small-scale, high-impact independent films. I will post everything from breaking news to offbeat features that will cover every facet of the entertainment news emerging from the area. So bookmark this page and be on the lookout every day for new posts!

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